By Scott Schultz
Daily Bruin Staff
The UCLA women’s basketball team took another step toward
regaining prominence when Head Coach Kathy Olivier announced the
signing of 5-foot-10 point guard Brianna Winn. Winn will enroll
this fall and will be a member of the 2001-02 UCLA squad.
Winn was coached by her father Fentress Winn at The
Bishop’s School in La Jolla, Calif. Together, they won the
Division IV State title. Winn was honored as the Division IV
California player of the year, and was the captain of the San Diego
All-Academic High School team.
“We are excited to add a student-athlete like Brianna who
has not only received honors for her performances on the basketball
court, but is also a standout in the classroom,” Olivier
said.
Winn has a strong all-around game. Last season at Bishops, she
averaged 14 points, seven rebounds and eight assists per game. She
also hit 35 percent of her three-point attempts. Winn will provide
a change of pace working in tandem with junior point guard Natalie
Nakase.
Nakase started every game this year in place of Nicole
Kaczmarski, who unexpectedly transferred to Georgia last fall.
Although the 5-1 Nakase became the key to the Bruin defense and
grew adept at running the Bruin offense, she was often targeted by
taller point guards. Now the Bruins will be able to choose between
size or quickness at the point depending on the circumstances of
the games.
“Nakase’s done a great job,” Olivier said.
“Brianna is not as quick as Natalie, but she will bring an
outside shot and a different perspective to the offense because of
her size.”
Winn is joining what looks like a strong recruiting class for
Olivier. The Bruins already had early commitments from 6-7 center
Paula “Sissy” Pickett of Coushatta, Louis. and 6-4
forward Krystle Johnson of Hoover, Ala.
Johnson’s high school team won the Alabama state
championship, so Olivier will be adding two freshmen to the squad
with championship experience.
“It helps to bring in winners, because they know how to
win,” Olivier said.